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1.
Beneficial effects of novel aureobasidium pullulans strains produced beta-1,3-1,6 glucans on interleukin-6 and D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients; results of a randomized multiple-arm pilot clinical study.
Raghavan, K, Dedeepiya, VD, Suryaprakash, V, Rao, KS, Ikewaki, N, Sonoda, T, Levy, GA, Iwasaki, M, Senthilkumar, R, Preethy, S, et al
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2022;:112243
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this pilot clinical study, we report the beneficial effects of beta glucans derived from two strains AFO-202 and N-163 of a black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans on the biomarkers for cytokine storm and coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients. METHODS A total of 24 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were recruited and randomly divided into three groups (Gr): Gr. 1 control (n = 8) - Standard treatment; Gr. 2: Standard treatment + AFO-202 beta glucan (n = 8); and Gr. 3, Standard treatment + combination of AFO-202 and N-163 beta glucans (n = 8) for 30 days. RESULTS There was no mortality or requirement of ventilation of the subjects in any of the groups. There was a decrease in D-Dimer values (751 ng/ml to 143.89 ng/ml) and IL-6 values (7.395-3.16 pg/ml) in Gr. 1 in 15 days but the levels increased to abnormal levels on day 30 (D-Dimer: 202.5 ng/ml; IL-6 55.37 pg/ml); which steadily decreased up to day 30 in groups 2 (D-dimer: 560.99 ng/dl to 79.615; IL-6: 26.18-3.41 pg/ml) and 3 (D-dimer: 1614 ng/dl to 164.25 ng/dl; IL-6: 6.25-0.5 pg/ml). The same trend was observed with ESR. LCR and LeCR increased while NLR decreased significantly in Gr. 3. CD4 + and CD8 + T cell count showed relatively higher increase in Gr.3. There was no difference in CRP within the groups. CONCLUSION As these beta glucans are well known food supplements with a track record for safety, larger multi-centric clinical studies are recommended to validate their use as an adjunct in the management of COVID-19 and the ensuing long COVID-19 syndrome.
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2.
Spent Brewer's Yeast as a Source of Insoluble β-Glucans.
Avramia, I, Amariei, S
International journal of molecular sciences. 2021;(2)
Abstract
In the brewing process, the consumption of resources and the amount of waste generated are high and due to a lot of organic compounds in waste-water, the capacity of natural regeneration of the environment is exceeded. Residual yeast, the second by-product of brewing is considered to have an important chemical composition. An approach with nutritional potential refers to the extraction of bioactive compounds from the yeast cell wall, such as β-glucans. Concerning the potential food applications with better textural characteristics, spent brewer's yeast glucan has high emulsion stability and water-holding capacity fitting best as a fat replacer in different food matrices. Few studies demonstrate the importance and nutritional role of β-glucans from brewer's yeast, and even less for spent brewer's yeast, due to additional steps in the extraction process. This review focuses on describing the process of obtaining insoluble β-glucans (particulate) from spent brewer's yeast and provides an insight into how a by-product from brewing can be converted to potential food applications.
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3.
Nanoreduction as a technology to exploit β-Glucan from cereal and fungal sources for enhancing its nutraceutical potential.
Ashraf, ZU, Shah, A, Gani, A, Gani, A, Masoodi, FA, Noor, N
Carbohydrate polymers. 2021;:117664
Abstract
β-Glucan nanoparticles were produced from cereal and fungal sources viz: oats, barley, and yeast using ball milling which is considered as a green technology. The β-glucan nanoparticles were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infra-spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, antioxidant, anticancerous, antimicrobial and antihypertensive potential of β-glucan nanoparticles from different sources were also studied. The experimental results revealed that the average particle size for BN (Barley β-glucan nanoparticle), ON (Oats β-glucan nanoparticle), and YN (Yeast β-glucan nanoparticle) were 90.35, 83.55 and 77.44 nm and zeta potential were in the range of -27 to -6.3 mV. . There was an increase in antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive activity of BN, YN, and ON in comparison to native. Study reported increase in anticancerous activity upon size reduction. Also, antibacterial activity of BNT, ONT, YNT, BN, ON and YN against Gram-negative and Gram-positive (E.coli & Bacillus Subtilis) were studied. It was concluded that the β-glucan nanoparticles showed enhanced nutraceutical properties that might be due to the nanoreduction using green technology.
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4.
Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health.
Cerletti, C, Esposito, S, Iacoviello, L
Nutrients. 2021;(7)
Abstract
Mushroom cell walls are rich in β-glucans, long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, that are responsible for the linear and branching structures, respectively. β-glucans from cereals, at variance, have no 1,6 linkages nor branching structures. Both immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms have been described using purified β-glucans or fungi extracts on cellular and experimental models; their potential clinical use has been tested in different conditions, such as recurrent infections of the respiratory tract or complications of major surgery. Another promising application of β-glucans is on cancer, as adjuvant of conventional chemotherapy. β-glucans may protect the cardiovascular system, ameliorating glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure: these activities, observed for oat and barley β-glucans, require confirmation in human studies with mushroom β-glucans. On the other hand, mushrooms may also protect the cardiovascular system via a number of other components, such as bioactive phenolic compounds, vitamins, and mineral elements. The growing knowledge on the mechanism(s) and health benefits of mushrooms is encouraging the development of a potential clinical use of β-glucans, and also to further document their role in preserving health and prevent disease in the context of healthy lifestyles.
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5.
A comprehensive review on the impact of β-glucan metabolism by Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium species as members of the gut microbiota.
Fernandez-Julia, PJ, Munoz-Munoz, J, van Sinderen, D
International journal of biological macromolecules. 2021;:877-889
Abstract
β-glucans are polysaccharides which can be obtained from different sources, and which have been described as potential prebiotics. The beneficial effects associated with β-glucan intake are that they reduce energy intake, lower cholesterol levels and support the immune system. Nevertheless, the mechanism(s) of action underpinning these health effects related to β-glucans are still unclear, and the precise impact of β-glucans on the gut microbiota has been subject to debate and revision. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances involving structurally different types of β-glucans as fermentable substrates for Bacteroidetes (mainly Bacteroides) and Bifidobacterium species as glycan degraders. Bacteroides is one of the most abundant bacterial components of the human gut microbiota, while bifidobacteria are widely employed as a probiotic ingredient. Both are generalist glycan degraders capable of using a wide range of substrates: Bacteroides spp. are specialized as primary degraders in the metabolism of complex carbohydrates, whereas Bifidobacterium spp. more commonly metabolize smaller glycans, in particular oligosaccharides, sometimes through syntrophic interactions with Bacteroides spp., in which they act as secondary degraders.
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6.
Comparative accuracy of 1,3 beta-D glucan and galactomannan for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in pediatric patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Singh, S, Singh, M, Verma, N, Sharma, M, Pradhan, P, Chauhan, A, Jaiswal, N, Chakrabarti, A, Singh, M
Medical mycology. 2021;(2):139-148
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Serum biomarkers such as 1,3-beta-D glucan (BDG) and galactomannan (GM) have been evaluated for the IFI diagnosis. However, most evidence regarding their utility is derived from studies in adult oncology patients. This systematic review aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of BDG and GM individually or in combination for diagnosing IFI in pediatric patients. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched until March 2019 for diagnostic studies evaluating both serum GM and BDG for diagnosing pediatric IFI. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), specificity and sensitivity were computed. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used for summarizing overall assay performance. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. The summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, pooled DOR, AUC of the GM assay for proven or probable IFI were 0.74, 0.76, 13.25, and 0.845. The summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, pooled DOR, AUC of the BDG assay were 0.70, 0.69, 4.3, and 0.722. The combined predictive ability of both tests was reported in two studies (sensitivity: 0.67, specificity: 0.877). Four studies were performed in hematology-oncology patients, while two were retrospective studies from pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). In the subgroup of hematology-oncology patients, DOR of BDG remained similar at 4.25 but increased to 40.28 for GM. We conclude that GM and BDG have a modest performance for identifying IFI in pediatric patients. GM has a better accuracy over BDG. Combining both improves the specificity at the cost of sensitivity.
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7.
Clinical Outcomes after Oat Beta-Glucans Dietary Treatment in Gastritis Patients.
Gudej, S, Filip, R, Harasym, J, Wilczak, J, Dziendzikowska, K, Oczkowski, M, Jałosińska, M, Juszczak, M, Lange, E, Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J
Nutrients. 2021;(8)
Abstract
The prevalence of gastritis in humans is constantly growing and a prediction of an increase in this health problem is observed in many countries. For this reason, effective dietary therapies are sought that can alleviate the course of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of chemically pure oat beta-glucan preparations with different molar masses, low or high, used for 30 days in patients with histologically diagnosed chronic gastritis. The study enrolled 48 people of both genders of different ages recruited from 129 patients with a gastritis diagnosis. Before and after the therapy, hematological, biochemical, immunological and redox balance parameters were determined in the blood and the number of lactic acid bacteria and SCFA concentrations in the feces. Our results demonstrated a beneficial effect of oat beta-glucans with high molar mass in chronic gastritis in humans, resulting in reduced mucosal damage and healthy changes in SCFA fecal concentration and peripheral blood serum glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defense parameters. This fraction of a highly purified oat beta-glucan is safe for humans. Its action is effective after 30 days of use, which sheds new light on the nutritional treatment of chronic gastritis.
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8.
Candida albicans Beta-Glucan Induce Anti- Cancer Activity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Lung Cancer Cell Line: An In-Vitro Experimental Study.
Peymaeei, F, Sadeghi, F, Safari, E, Khorrami, S, Falahati, M, Roudbar Mohammadi, S, Roudbary, M
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. 2020;(3):837-843
Abstract
OBJECTIVE β-glucan, glucopyranosyl polymers of fungi cell wall, represent an immune stimulating effects with potential anti-cancer activity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulating properties in cancer microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Candida albicans (C. albicans) beta-glucan on MSCs supernatant for apoptosis assay of lung cancer cells in vitro. METHODS Beta-glucan was extracted from cell wall of C.albicans. MSC isolated from adipose tissue of patients and confirmed using specific surface markers expression which examined by flow cytometry. MSCs treated with various concentrations of β-glucans for 48 hours. Cytotoxic effect of β-glucans was evaluated using MTT assay. MSC and lung cancer line cocultured and treated with β-glucans and apoptosis assay was done by flow cytometry. RESULTS Cytotoxicity findings showed a significant decrease in MSC viability during 48h, however it was dose-dependent (P<0.05). According to the obtained findings, supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells treated with β-glucans increased cancer cells apoptosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Beta glucan may highlight a potential and novel promising candidate in future strategies to cause apoptosis of cancer cells and consider as therapeutic agent against tumor growth as well. Definitely, more in vitro and in vivo studies are required to understand its functions.
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9.
A randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study.
Cicero, AFG, Fogacci, F, Veronesi, M, Strocchi, E, Grandi, E, Rizzoli, E, Poli, A, Marangoni, F, Borghi, C
Nutrients. 2020;(3)
Abstract
The Beta-glucan Effects on Lipid profile, glycemia and inTestinal health (BELT) Study investigated the effect of 3 g/day oat beta-glucans on plasma lipids, fasting glucose and self-perceived intestinal well-being. The Study was an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over randomized clinical trial, enrolling a sample of 83 Italian free-living subjects, adherent to Mediterranean diet, with a moderate hypercholesterolemia and a low cardiovascular risk profile. Beta-glucans reduced mean LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from baseline by 12.2% (95%CI: -15.4 to -3.8) after 4 weeks of supplementation and by 15.1% (95%CI: -17.8 to -5.9) after 8 weeks of supplementation (p < 0.01 for both comparison and versus placebo). Between baseline and 4 weeks Total Cholesterol (TC) levels showed an average reduction of 6.5% (95%CI: -10.9 to -1.9) in the beta-glucan sequence; while non-HDL-C plasma concentrations decreased by 11.8% (95%CI: -14.6 to -4.5). Moreover, after 8 weeks of beta-glucan supplementation TC was reduced by 8.9% (95%CI: -12.6 to -2.3) and non-HDL-C levels by 12.1% (95%CI: -15.6 to -5.3). Decreses in TC and non HDL-C were significant also versus placebo (respectively p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 to both follow-up visits). Fasting plasma glucose and self-perceived intestinal well-being were not affected by both beta-glucan and placebo supplementation.
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10.
Fungal β-glucans and mannan stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells to cytokine production in Syk-dependent manner.
Kozłowska, E, Brzezińska-Błaszczyk, E, Rasmus, P, Żelechowska, P
Immunobiology. 2020;(5):151985
Abstract
There is evidence that major components of the fungi cell wall not only define fungal properties and survival but also are responsible for their biological activities. Some data indicate that structural components of the fungal cell wall exert stimulatory/modulatory effects on immunocompetent cells acting as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Fungal components can influence the activity of certain immune cell populations by affecting cell maturation and proliferation, promoting phagocytosis, cytotoxic activity, and cell migration, as well as production of various mediators. However, there is little information available concerning the impact of fungal-derived components on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) activation. The aim of this study was to determine whether certain fungi-associated molecules, i.e., β-(1,3)-glucans (zymosan and curdlan) and mannan activate in vitro human PBMCs to synthesize cytokines, including chemokines. We documented that PBMCs, in response to stimulation with zymosan, curdlan, and mannan, express cytokines IFN-γ and GM-CSF, and chemokine CCL3, both at protein and transcript levels, as well as cytokine IL-1β and chemokine CXCL8, at mRNA level. Our observations support the idea that fungal-derived components can activate immune cells, including PBMCs, by stimulation of cytokine/chemokine production. A thorough understanding of this interaction is of prime importance since it influence both pathophysiological and immune processes as well as anti-fungal defense mechanisms.